Armed Services Day - this Saturday 26th June

This Saturday 26 June is Armed Services Day which has the objective of honouring British armed services. Prime Minister David Cameron has called upon people to mark this day by making towns and villages a riot of red, white and blue colour. It would be really great if Dorking's shopkeepers could all make the effort to fly or display a Union Jack flag.

I understand our not to distant neighbours in Reigate and Woking are both planning special events - and probably other towns as well that I am not aware of.

Pepin

Surrey County Council - facing meltdown?

I see from the Surrey Advertiser (18 June edition) that the size of the black-hole in SCC's pension fund now stands at a little over £1 billion - effectively this wipes out the assets of the council.

And to think of the money they have wasted in Dorking with useless experiments: Pixham Lane, Pump Corner, Vincent Lane junction with Guildford Road to mention just a few.

Roundabout surface signs - why?

Perhaps it's just me being overly sensitive about Surrey County Council wasting money unnecessarily, but why has SCC decided to paint all round the Deepdene roundabout huge "Keep Clear" warnings. The only time I've ever seen the roundabout grind to a halt is when the pedestrian lights (which have been sited very close to the roundabout - but fortunately seem to be rarely used) are operated. About 99.9999% of road users have managed to keep this junction clear for the last 50+ years.

I feel this is just another example of a very strange Highways Department trying to find some way of keeping itself in work.

Perhaps I'm wrong, so please tell me if I am.

Pepin

Oh Dear!

Anybody seen this:

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2071855_tory_control_of_mole_valley_branded_arrogant

Unbelievable!

Factory Shop, etc.

I see the Factory shop on the old Woolworth's site is open, it appears to be very busy and I hope it continues (I really don't wish any shop ill in the current climate) and with a bit of luck it will be able to co-exist with its neighbour Allsorts (hope I've spelt that correctly) who I have found to be exceptionally useful. I suspect that a lot of families will welcome somewhere other than M&S offering children's clothes and shoes.

A big plus of shops such as these is that they actually attract people into the town and that's desperately important. There is a hard core of locals who love to bang on about the wonderful range of independent shops in Dorking and how vital they are; that's fine and like others I value these independents but I also recognise that unless the number of people using the town increases dramatically these independents will be forced to close...no shoppers, no shops. It's really that simple.

Pepin

Traffic though Dorking

What the heck has happened to the lights on the junction of London Road and High Street? These seem to have been reconfigured early this week and they are now causing chaos in the town. Yesterday, sat in traffic for ages driving Eastwards, I timed the lights (opposite the BP garage, for anyone struggling to think where I mean). They stayed green for 15 seconds, then reverted to red for 1 minute and 10 seconds, then repeated the cycle.

Anyone else noticed this? By the way, once I got across Deepdene roundabout, there was a queue of traffic right back to the rugby club at Brockham.

Is someone doing this on purpose?

Hung council in Mole Valley

I see that following Thursday's elections we not only have a hung parliament, we have a hung council in Mole Valley, the Conservatives have lost control of the council.

It rather looks as though some of their more foolish initiatives such as increased parking charges - that have resulted in a fall in parking income - coupled with the foolish but innovative idea (now being copied by Guildford) of charging for evening car parking at certain car parks, have well and truly come home to roost - no offence to our friend on the roundabout at Deepdene.

Perhaps the LibDem councillors who still control Dorking town centre will now tackle some of the town's serious shortcomings: it's not a perfect economic climate to get started in but it's a job that needs to be done right now.

Pepin.

PS. Please don't forget that next Tuesday (I'm pretty certain it is Tuesday) marks another Farmers' Market in South Street.

Amidst all the doom and gloom....

I think it needs to remembered that Dorking is still an incredibly wonderful place to live. I have today, encouraged by the Spring sun, enjoyed a good long walk around the town, ending up in Glory Wood and Cotmandene. I realised again that we have much to be thankful for - the shopping in Dorking may not be that of other towns (although I don't think there's much you can't buy in the town and there are still a far greater number of independent shops than many, many places) but the place has not been ruined like so many others.

Public exhibition

Cllr Chris Hunt has organised a drop-in event to take place 3pm - 8pm on Thurs 4th March, 9am - 4pm on 5th March and Saturday 6th March. It is to be held at 25 St Martin's Walk.

They are encouraging comment and ideas for the future of our town.

I would urge as many people as possible to visit and give views and comments. This is the ideal opportunity for all critics of the town who post things on this blog to have their ideas heard, and we must not allow the council to claim that nobody turned up to this!

Anyone going to go?

Also see this:

http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4979

state of the High Street

They're has been so many posts about the state of the High Street and i'm sorry to add another but i want to vent my frustration. As a local shop trader for nearly ten years in the town i have never known business to be so bad, things just go from bad to worse year on year, shops are closing regularly and there is no reason for new traders to open. We waste money on projects that add no benefit and have a town centre manager that is never seen, our shopping centre is laughable and the High Street is deserted. I hate to have to say it but after many years of struggling i cannot be bothered anymore and am planning to pull out at the end of my lease (end of march) I cannot see this town improving within the next ten years as it will take such a mammoth task to get it back on it's feet, if that should ever happen.

Albi's Square

Not a lot happening at the moment is there! So I thought I'd contribute this, with apologies if you've seen enough Albi odes already. But if you can make it to the end you'll see the point of it. Yes apologies for that too as it's something raised before (on Cockerel's site) but having had no one disagree yet that a town square would be highly beneficial it seemed worthwhile to mention it again...and see if there are any arguments against the idea.

In Surrey Hills all cute and furry

Lived a chap we’ve had to burr`y.

Amidst the trees up which he scampered,

Now by their roots, his life well hampered!

Name of Albi and fame worldwide

Since that day of squirrelcide

When Dorking’s bright and rising star

Was squashed so flat by a rampant car…

…Or van, perhaps a red Post one,

Did the deed which made us wan

So flowers gathered in trib`ute

To that lovely friend, so furry and cute.

Those pink eyes have seen no more

Where once they spied pine nuts galore

And treats brought for him by the masses

From grandmas to wee lads and lasses.

His whiteness set him so apart

Survival clearly was an art

Which he had learned to high degrees

In S’Martin’s universe of trees.

His bushy tale brought so much pleasure;

To Dorking, fame too much to measure

So Planners should seize on this kernel,

Not Albi’s nuts; but-f’ thanks eternal:

A town square splendid could be made:

St Martin’s Walk with where Albi played;

The churchyard peace still there in part

But here would be Our Town’s fresh start.

A tree-fringed place combines the two;

Enormous benefits will accrue:

Dorking’s heartbeat beyond compare,

In a space inscribed as ‘Albi’s Square’!

Parking

Please everyone, don't use the snow as an excuse to park wherever you fancy on the High Street. It's bad enough that people snarl up the centre of town on a Sunday, but its unforgiveable during the week. It turns the High Street into a single track road between Pump Corner and Halfords, with traffic having to wait its turn.
Common sense , people, come on!!
PS I walk in from where I live, but its annoying to when I have to use my car, like getting to the doctors this morning.
Myrtle Turtle

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

Best wishes to all contributors to the blog and everyone in Dorking and beyond.
Dougie

Gala night...

... was it any good? I normally go, but missed it last night.
Dougie

Farmers' Market in South Street

I am not generally one of the greatest fans of Mole Valley's councillors, but this time they have got something right!

I went along on Tuesday morning at about 11:45 to have a look at the Farmers' Market in South Street, what a surprise. For the first time in a very long time the pavement was crowded to the point where you could not easily walk along it without bumping into people - how very, very, refreshing for Dorking. I asked two or three of the stallholders how it had been for them (there's no point in them coming if they aren't selling stuff) and all replied that it had been an excellent morning.

Ladies and gentlemen at MVDC I will not stop criticising you when I think you've got it totally wrong (remember parking charges?) but when you get it right I am delighted to say congratulations, you've made a good decision.

Pepin

Sign-in details

In order to start a new topic, you need to sign in on the right hand corner. The details you need are:
user name: peopleofdorking@hotmail.com
Password: blogblog.

Harley Davidson

The diggers have been in all week clearing the rubble. Anyone know what's happening?
Myrtle Turtle

The White Squirrel

First of all, two apologies:
1. Sorry for using this blog for advertising.
2. Sorry for exploiting the squirrel.

But, since the poor animal died there has been a lot of interest and I notice the local paper has a photo special. A friend rang me to tell me it was discussed on the Wright Stuff. And then I saw on here lots of people posting about it.

So... I have commissioned 6 squirrel memorial shopping bags and 3 mugs. We put these in our window mid-afternoon yesterday (10 Nov) and they started selling straight away. So I have commissioned another 12 bags, but I can't get any more mugs.

If anyone wants any, we have them.

Again, sorry for using the blog for commercial purposes, but I saw a couple of people have seen our stuff and commented under "Sad news".

Jim, The Lemon Tree.

A supermarket for Dorking?

Apparently the council had a meeting last night (Wednesday) using the Forum umbrella to discuss one of their own proposals for using land at Curtis Road for a new supermarket. Did anyone go? In fact did anyone know about this until the last minute?

Personally I am pro a new supermarket because the town desperately needs more people to help support what shops we have left: I see the coffee bar flavours (in the High Street close to Clears) has closed down - very suddenly judging by the fact that all the tables are laid ready for business...sad.

Pepin

Sad news

Sadly the Albino squirrel that lived in the church grounds was run over in St Martins Walk car park this afternoon. He/she was buried in the churchyard by the staff from a nearby shop.

Tumbleweed.

Has this site bitten the dust too?

Not much activity, which is a shame.

Been looking at James's blog as I thought there might have been a mass migration, but he seems to have disappeared too!

Come on everyone!

Our council, specialist in silly mistakes

Those who run MVDC really do seem to have mastered the art of opening their mouth in order that they can put their foot in it!

The good old Dorking Advertiser reports that having earlier this year decided that the expenditure of £6,000 on floral decorations for the town's streets was impossible given the economic climate, MVDC decided it would be quite acceptable to spend £5,000 on flowers for decoration inside their offices.

It all seems pretty stupid to me, has MVDC lost sight of the fact that they are not a private company who can behave is they feel fit; they are in fact an organisation that possesses not one single asset that is not owned by the taxpayers.

Time for our councillors to wake-up and smell the coffee - many of you face re-election next May, bring it on!

Pepin

Dorking, the good and the bad

I think we all know there is a lot wrong with our town, much of this brought about by rather silly, if not stupid, MVDC councillors' actions (and it has to be said their allies at County Hall), but having a good think about it there are some things that are good in Dorking - especially on the shopping front.

Among the 'newbies' I would especially welcome the new bargain shop that eventually replaced Age of Elegance: I'm sure this shop answers the needs of many people. Second I welcome the 'astronomy shop' close to the Surrey Yeoman (sorry I can't recall the precise name); I'm not a star gazer but an unusual shop like this must bring some people to the town and I wish them well. Third on my list of newbies comes FatFace, I'm the wrong generation to become a customer of the shop, but I bet it fulfils the needs of a younger generation.

Among the more established shops I have on my list of favourites: Clears, for all items electrical such as TVs, toaster, radios, etc; Cummins, all that a brilliant ironmongers should be; Fullers, an outstanding sports shop; Sussex Stationers (or whatever they call themselves today) a really good bookshop and stationers; Steamer Trading, why can I never go into this kitchen aids shop and leave without spending money? and finally Robert Dyas, what an amazing stock of gadgets for the home.

Other nominations are welcome, let's share them!

Finally I wrote in the headline - "the bad". Muddled thinking of the month award must go to Councillor Ben Tatham who, commenting upon cuts of some £300,000 in MVDC's services said "I really think that most of our residents will not notice a reduction in services at all."

Well Ben, would you tell us why you've been wasting our money for years by providing the services? Come on share the secret with us too.

Pepin

Is phones 4 u closing?

Wandering through the town, I noticed that phones 4 U was closed. Is it for good. It seems a shame, Vodafone has just opened and the mobile phone shop next to chimes has closed and now it looks like phones for u may go. It is all very well getting new shops but is detrimental to the town if it causes a similar shop to go out of business. There are too many empty shops in the high street already.We need new shops to open, not replacement shops

What about a Carnival?

A year or so ago a festival was held on Meadowbank. Strangely enough this was a Thai festival, for what reason this was i'm not sure, it did prove however to be very popular and interesting. What about for Dorking, an annual Carnival, I think a precession of decorated colourful floats going through the town on a lovely summer's day along with all the other activities a carnival brings would be great for our local town

This has been duplicated on http://www.allnewdorkingblog.blogspot.com/ at the request of David N.

Dougie.. I'm trying to get this site going just to make posting as easy as possible for all visitors to the site, please have a look and just add comments as you wish.

James

Re: Hope for the future of thisblog...

I have nothing more to add to my post of a few minutes ago except to say that I forgot to sign it at the bottom - I have an aversion to 'anonymous' posters, letters etc so am doing it now, hereunder

David N

Hope for the future of this blog..

I understand what Jamie is trying to do - create more interest on a blog for Dorking.
Previously, Cockerel used to post the many and various subjects and we just used to comment. This was OK because, until he gave up in April, he kept a steady flow of subjects coming. Now, we are expected to do this for ourselves but new readers dont neccessarily know how. It means regularly publishing the sign-in address AND password, the latter of which is usually kept by the blogmaster himself to prevent graffiti, obscenities, offers of Viagra etc... Do regular contributors want total freedom or somebody like Jamie to take the place of Cockerel who would be entrusted with the (new) password? It's Dougies blog so what does HE want or prefer?

I am retired and have plenty of time but no longer live in my home town so dont know what is going on other than what I read on-line in Dorking Advertiser.... Could Jamie replace Cockerel? Or could Jamie and just the 'founder members' (currently interested readers) of this blog retain the password, to reduce the chance of abuse?

Before I say any more about the amount of negative stuff that has been posted, can I do likewise but with a possibly more positive approach?

I have just read, in the On-line Dorking Advertiser, Councillor Pearson's reported claim that the now permanent evening parking arrangement will bring in £29,000 a year and the cost of the scheme to be only £1,000! How can this possibly be the case when the minimum wage is almost £6 and hour? As I dont live in Dorking I am assuming that an 'evening' lasts 4 hours which is £24 x 7 nights = £168 x 52 weeks = £8,800 for the attendant alone. Then there is the inevitable auditing, paper work and supervision, possibly even the creation of a new supervisory job to be paid for.... Cllr Pearson's reported claims suggest that the machines take an average of £80 a night so are they emptied every midnight (by a paid for supervisor?) or could this be a nice little £100 earner for a determined crook on a good night? As for £1,000 annual running costs I can only wonder whether the job at £2.73 an hour is going to an illegal immigrant who hasnt yet had his passport checked.. Taking into account the amount of ill will directed towards the residents of nearby roads who cant now even park outside their own homes in the evening AND those of the town in general, the councillors need to be shown up. Dont let them get away with it! Demand information under the Freedom of Information legislation - actual costs including all the extras, not just the amount in the machine multiplied by 365... I am not suggesting that people take to the streets in riot but Dorkinginians need to do more about this matter. Cllr Pearson reports that, other than the petition, only 9? people have bothered to write to the council personally. She is dismissive of your petition as she will probably say that many people will sign anything that's put in front of them.
In the town where I now live, the local council decided arbitarily to change the town's taxi fare basis, condition etc. Within a week, the whole taxi fraternity did a slow-drive protest round and round the town centre. It lasted an hour and brought the town centre to a standstill. There was uproar! And the taxis said it will happen again 'next week' and maybe more often... The town hall architects of the planned scheme immediately let it be known that a "further meeting" with the taxi drivers had now been scheduled. It was a real climb down and, you bet, it took place before the second planned slow-drive! What about a regular but peaceful deputation with some placards at Pippbrook? I bet they would be on the phone to wherever your councillors are, like a shot. Dont let them get away with it....

A Test to see if I am doing it right!

Test 1!

Dorking and blogs

I wish 'Jamie of Dorking' well in his efforts to get a new warm and friendly blog about the town up and running, but if all he wants is to discuss how beautiful the town is (and I agree that Dorking can be a delight), where he can get a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, why not get hold of a copy of one of the excellent little freebie publications that are regularly distributed in pubs and shops?

Yes there is a lot of moaning on this site (as there was on the old site) about what's happening in Dorking and the failings of the local council, understandable really because there is a lot going wrong, the ever growing number of empty shops bear witness to that.

Every empty shop in the town almost certainly represents a disaster for many of the smaller shopkeepers who sunk their money and labour into trying to keep their business going. Yesterday I read the notice on the door of the closed music and dance shop in South Street - everyone should go and read those very sad words.

So, Jamie, while I wish you every possible success with the blog, don't moan too much about the people who are using this blog to try and bring about change for the better in Dorking, as they did with the old blog; probably they will not succeed, but it's better to try and fail than simply pretend that all is well.

Pepin

NEW BLOG, LOOK HERE!!!

www.allnewdorkingblog.blogspot.com

I've set up a new dorking blog as not much is going on here..go to

www.allnewdorkingblog.blogspot.com.

thanks

James

It's not 'district' money, it's only for Leatherhead

There we have it, straight from the horse's mouth so to speak. Section 106 money (shorthand for sweetners given by planning applicants to the council to help smooth the application's progress) is not the property of the District Council, it's for the exclusive use of the area in which the money was raised, not for the greater good of the area as a whole.

Chris Hunt, who bears the splendid title of 'Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning' has explained why Leatherhead is to receive more than £300,000 to enhance the town centre and Dorking gets nothing.

Since MVDC appear to be totally dedicated to not allowing development of any kind in Dorking it seems unlikely that the town will ever enjoy any meaningful investment by MVDC. Perhaps someone could refresh my memory, when Wickes in Vincent Lane was developed did we see any of the Section 106 money? For that matter how about the old gas works site and housing development at Deepdene roundabout, etc. etc.

Does anyone have memories of how the town has benefited?

Pepin

Another lost shop?

Just noticed the sign of doom (Martin-brown) above the pet shop in the High Street. Another one going? Incidentally, someone mentioned on here that Hi-Life was closing because they saw a sign above it. It looks to me as though the sign relates to the unit next door. Or am I wrong?
Dougie

Exciting sighting Dorking High Street!

I blinked, shook my head, but still it wouldn't go away, it was without doubt 'real', not a dream - just as well since I was driving at the time. A genuine police constable, sitting astride a mountain bike outside the new Carpetright store, complete with Police cycle helmet, etc.

Has anyone else had a sighting of this very rare specie, or perhaps he had lost his way, should I have stopped and offered to help? I saw it last week, Wednesday I believe.

Pepin

MVDC and lost level playing field

The Dorking Advertiser devotes two pages to the good news that Leatherhead is to receive some £300,000 to improve Leatherhead's High Street and Church Street, this will be a combination of MVDC money and a grant from SCC. A further £50,000 will be made available for street art, e.g. perhaps a swan sculpture or a memorial to one of the the town's more famous people.

Nobody could wish Leatherhead anything but well and they are certainly very fortunate to have benefited from MVDC's act of largesse; curious is it not that the same council could not afford £6,000 for Dorking's floral decorations this summer and has had to impose a flat £1 charge to park in certain Dorking car parks in the evening - because of financial restraints of course.

It would seem MVDC is not aware of the need for there to be level playing fields.

Forget being born with a silver spoon in your mouth, far better to have been born in the north of our district.

Pepin

Dorking and our county council

Although our local media has commented upon it (in particular the Surrey Advertiser) I have been fascinated by the reaction, or more precisely lack of reaction, to Michael Frater's recent report on Surrey County Council who it should be remembered have been responsible for regularly bringing Dorking to a halt.

Following the sudden resignation of the chief executive of SCC last November and the subsequent resignation of the leader of the council a man called Michael Frater was brought in to act as interim chief executive - a position he occupied until the end of June.

Frater has had a very distinguished career in local government and was awarded a CBE in recognition of his service to local government. When Frater's term of office ended after six months he prepared a report summarising his views of how the council operates, among his conclusions are:

• The bosses were "superior and arrogant"
• The council runs on the basis of blame and bullying
• Is unsophisticated
• Is in denial following its demotion to a one star authority
• Is bureaucratic
• Lacks vision and strategy
• Has an absence of leadership
• Worst case of financial mismanagement he (Frater) had seen
• There is a whole systems failure

The report was on the agenda to be discussed at SCC's July 14 meeting as item six. At the meeting this item was not discussed.

Although it's quite well hidden away the report is on SCC website and provided you're not a nervous type you can read it, go to: SCC website, click 'Your Council' on the home page, the 'Councillors & Committees' then 'Cabinet', then 'What's being discussed' and then 14.7.09 meeting, agenda item six. Here you will find Frater's 12-page report - quite simply it's devastating.

And to think that during the last 12-years this wretched council that boasts of being one of Britain's largest and best authorities has been effectively wasting our money which amounts to about £1billion every year - what miserable lot, hopefully the new management will do a little bit better.

Self satisfied MVDC

My eye was caught by a message from MVDC enclosed with the recently revised council tax bill: "A message to all our resident...THANK YOU". Following a survey of 2,500 people residents LAST AUTUMN MVDC announces that the council is among the best performing councils in the country!

MVDC tell us:

• No less than 81% of people are satisfied with our parks and open spaces
• 76% of people liked our recycling service
• 74% of people were satisfied with our refuse service

All this from a council that went on to increase their element of the council tax by 4.9%, fractionally below the level that would have resulted in the government stepping in. A council that decided Dorking did not need any floral displays this year; a council that set a first in Surrey, i.e. choosing to charge for parking in the evening; a council that went on to spend £250,000 refurbishing their own reception area. I could go on and on but I suspect many people already know what MVDC is guilty of especially favouring areas in the north of the district - the heartland of the council's controlling Conservative councillors - no evening parking charges there!

I would like to have seen the rest of the survey results they boast of above and I would like to see the results of the same survey run today!

The Dorking Advertiser

Like all local papers the Dorking Advertiser has its good weeks and its not so good weeks, but to be fair it has been going through a good spell with regard to parking issues in the town - it just will not let the issue die, which is more than can be said for the Chamber of Commerce. If silence really can be deafening the the Dorking CofC have succeeded.

Mole Valley and its councillors

The manner in which Dorking is being treated by the councillors on MVDC is nothing short of appalling - I should qualify that statement since the town's councillors (all LibDems - and no, I'm not a LibDem supporter) have constantly opposed the Conservative's controlling group's more silly plans - like a £1 charge on anyone using the two car parks at the eastern end of the town, i.e. Dorking Halls and the council staff car park (used free of charge by the staff Monday to Friday). The stupidity of this charge is revealed by the fact that most of the monet will be spent on wages for a parking enforcement officer - I believe in another language that's a good old fashioned parking warden.

Nowhere else in the Mole Valley is there a charge for evening parking - in fact just about everywhere in Surrey is free in the evening. What has Dorking done to deserve this rotten treatment? Why is MVDC prepared to invest in Leatherhead and Ashtead - in fact just about anywhere in the district except Dorking? Why, given the dreadful state that Dorking's town centre is in, did the council decide to withdraw funding of about £6,000 for town centre floral decorations? One could go on and on...

Isn't it about time the town's traders demanded a meeting with MVDC and an explanation of the apparently unfair treatment?

Moving to Dorking

I'm currently thinking of re-locating from Lingfield and have been viewing houses in Dorking. A friend of mine thinks Dorking might be a little rough in the evenings.
Does anyone have any advice?
Do people generally enjoy living here?
Thanks in advance.
Archie

Nice Idea

Hi,

Well done for setting this up - I'll spread the awareness.

Be great to get some event listings up here - would spark interest and comments no doubt. Is it ok for anyone to post some as and when?

Bye for now,

MLC

Accidents in Dorking

I read with interest about the accident on Saturday. To my knowledge, this is the fourth time in 12 months that a pedestrian has been knocked down in Dorking, and at least one of those people died.
Why so many? Is it the layout of the town that encourages people to cross without using proper crossings. It is very unfortunate, and I wonder if the road was closed for so long to allow the police to gather evidence of what happened.

Positive news in Dorking

There's been a lot of moaning about Dorking recently, so to reverse this I would like to point out that there is a lot of scaffolding in town at the moment. This must mean that people are repairing and redecorating lots of the properties. This has to be a good sign, surely. I think the kitchen shop re-painted recently, and Astronamia had scaffolding up. There are loads of buildings on West street redecorating, and the Lemon Tree seem to be re-branding with white paint.
Anyone with any positive comments?

Town Centre Action Plan

Just wondered what thoughts (if any) people have on the Town Centre Action Plan? Or did anybody even realise there was a drop in event at the end of last week in St. Martins walk to gather peoples' views? We went along but were very disappointed to see that although this is the beginning of the consultation no action will actually take place until 2011 and this will be the start of a 15 year plan! The action plan looks good but we are really concerned that there is no interim action policy as we feel that work on improving the town centre needs to start NOW!

Anyway, if anyone wishes to view the plan it is available on www.molevalley.gov.uk/idf and suggestions can be emailed to: idf@molevalley.gov.uk

Corner House Girls

NOT MUCH NEWS....

Hi.

Not much movement on our new site.
Perhaps a bit complicated?
Remember, Cockerel used to choose the subject for discussion but now YOU can...

Sign In: peopleofdorking@hotmail.com
Password: blogblog
Choose: New Post and away you go

Looking forward to hearing about my home town soon....

David N

Pubs for the rugby tomorrow

I thought I would put something on here to see how user friendly it is.
Anyway, I plan to meet a friend in town tomorrow to watch the Lions. Can anyone help me? I need to know which pubs will be showing the match. Preferably town centre. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Pete

Pixham School

Just read on Dorking Ad site that Pixham School is (again) under threat of closure.
Sad news but I suppose it is 'progress' . I was there from 1944-1947 with wonderful memories in spite of war and hours in the air raid shelter during which time we sang and chanted arithmetic tables ad infinitum because written work was impossible. The ironic thing is that the original records show that the school was opened in 1880 to avoid the children having to 'trudge' to the other end of the town (West Street). How many children walk to school these days?

David N

Foodie Dorking Blog

Anyone up for a bit of foodie reading with a Dorking twist if I can manage it, check out my blog: Dorking, Food & Photographs.

Happy to help out by providing some photography to spruce up the DP's Blog!  Just let me know if you want to use any photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22284660@N04/, as long as you state your source and ask permission:)

I lived in Farnham during the 1990s and I can say that it looked much like Dorking does now, with a large number of closed outlets.  I think the town needs to hit rock bottom before it rises again - Farnham seems to be doing well now, better than ever in fact.  Let us be realistic - you aren't going to get decent shops when the demographic of the town is so....challenged!  Look at FatFace - how are they doing?  The are the best thing that's happened to the High Street in the three years I've lived here..at least I can buy clothes in my home town now!

PopC

Parking in Dorking

A topic that has incensed everyone, I think. I own a shop in Dorking (don't want to say which one). Our takings are down 40% this year compared to last year, and have dropped off noticeable since the charges went up. I have seen the car parks with hardly any cars in them. What on EARTH are the councillors thinking of?
They are seriously jeopardising my livelihood and I resent it like hell!!
A very cheesed off shopkeeper!

Help with blog

Hello everyone.
Very much a non-expert in computers, I know there's been some frustration at not being able to post easily. Not sure why, so if anyone knows about these things, please sign in as per the details on the other blog and help out if you can. Not sure what the problem has been, but it has affected me, too. I have lost at least 3 posts that I have tried to make. I have change the sttings to allow anonymous posters and hope that will help with access.
Dougie

restarants in Dorking

Hi guys,
I'm a regular reader and occasional contributor to Cockerel's blog. Am I the first to start a topic on Dougie's blog? V excited!!
Anyway, I'm from Dorking and just started going out with a girl fromout ofn town. Want to impress her by taking her for a nice meal. Someone said twotwofour was good but expensive.
Any thoughts? is it good or is there somewhere less expensive? I'm a student by the way
Alex

Test

This is a test blog. The intention is to have a blog for the people of Dorking. I hope it works.
Dougie